Despite Hispanics accounting for most of the state’s recent population growth — helping it add four U.S. House seats — Texas is poised to gain no additional Latino lawmakers to its congressional delegation.

COLUMN | At the All Things D conference in Los Angeles, Tim Cook made his first significant public appearance since taking over as Apple’s chief executive. People seemed satisfied. But as for Cook’s plans for Apple? That’s still anyone’s guess.

COLUMN | At the All Things D conference in Los Angeles, Tim Cook made his first significant public appearance since taking over as Apple’s chief executive. People seemed satisfied. But as for Cook’s plans for Apple? That’s still anyone’s guess.

May 02, 2012

Former NFL linebacker Junior Seau was found dead Wednesday morning at his Southern California home. He was 43 years old. The ex-linebacker's girlfriend found the NFL legend with a fatal gunshot wound to the chest. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that police received a call to 911 at 9:35 a.m. reporting a possible suicide, per Oceanside police Chief Frank McCoy. Officers found Seau in a bedroom with a gunshot wound to the chest, and efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. Reports indicate that a gun was found by Seau's side. Seau's death was first reported by TMZ.

The San Diego Chargers issued a statement at approximately noon PT:

Everyone at the Chargers is in complete shock and disbelief right now...We ask everyone to stop what they're doing and send their prayers to Junior and his family.

"Obviously, it's shocking," Chargers team president Dean Spanos said. "It makes you feel very sad. He's brought so much to this community over the years. A good person, a good friend. He was the fabric — really a part of this community. He was the heart and soul of our team for so many years. Even after he left, his roots and his home were still here. Just people loved him and admired him."

The Song: The Hieroglyphics crew has long been heralded as one of the most consistent, talented crews in hip-hop, and while the credit in nearly all rap crews goes to the rappers, each crew has its own unsung hero's operating outside of the public eye. For Hiero, that behind-the-scenes operator is producer/DJ DJ Touré, who is now stepping firmly into the limelight with the release of his own album, Touré's Theory: Session One. The album will be released July 17th, as a joint venture between Clear Label Records and Touré's own 101% Music. To celebrate the album announcement, Touré is excited to release the album's lead single, "She Like It," a track that features B-Legit and D-Lo. The song, co-produced by Grammy-winning producer Bobby Ozuna, has a classic West Coast bounce as Touré layers horn and guitar chops, a soulful concoction that manages to serve as a perfect match both for B-Legit's smooth baritone and D-Lo's frenetic, off-kilter flow. Touré made this track with a specific goal in mind: bringing together the old and new guards of Bay Area hip-hop. "My inspiration for this song was to bring different styles and generations of hip-hop together on one track," explains Touré. "B Legit and D Lo had never been on a record together, even though we're all from the Bay and know each other."

The Song: Few rappers, if any, can hold a candle to the influence and staying power of Kool Keith. The veteran emcee's career spans over two decades, beginning with the release of Ultramagnetic MCs' Critical Beatdown in 1988, and includes a string of heralded solo releases. With each of those projects the Bronx-born rapper has solidified himself as one of the most intriguing characters in music and now, his latest album, Love & Danger, will be released on June 5th via Junkadelic Music. Today, Kool Keith is excited to release the album's latest single, "Extra Thoughts," featuring The I.M.O. "Extra Thoughts," produced by DJ Junkaz Lou, is built over a minimalist kick-and-snare production, with accents of psychedelic blips, beeps, and chimes that keep things interesting. It's a perfect fit for Kool Keith, who delivers a laid-back, stream-of-consciousness flow on a topic that few others than Kool Keith would or could attempt. "This song is about the inspiration of thoughts," says Kool Keith, in a purposefully vague tone. "Thoughts come like a million basketballs dropping out of the sky, but its the extra thoughts that count."

In addition to the new single, Kool Keith recently sat down with VICE for an interview with the outlet's newly launched YouTube series, Noisey Rap Show. The show is hosted by Kool A.D. of Das Racist, who caught up with Kool Keith at the Sweetwater Tavern in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, to discuss Keith's pioneering of horrorcore and pornocore, the dirtiest track Keith ever wrote, and so much more.

The Song: Late last month, Illmaculate released his latest album, Skrill Talk. On June 2nd, the Portland, Oregon, rapper will celebrate the album's release with a show at Branx, but before then, Illmaculate is joining his Sandpeople crew for a string of European tour dates. Today, to kick off the tour announcement, Illmaculate is releasing the latest single from Skrill Talk, "One More Time," featuring Sandpeople.

The song, produced by Soleternity, is Illmaculate's response to the pressures of an industry driven by release dates and timetables; he wants to do things his way - and with his crew by his side. "My crew, Sandpeople, definitely had to be on the album," remarks Illmaculate, noting that the song's feel is representative of the Sandpeople process for making music. "This song really has its own vibe within the scope of the album, but it works," he says, "just like everyone in the crew had their own approach to the song, while still remaining cohesive."

Later this month, Illmaculate will be hitting the road with the rest of his Sandpeople crew, as they head overseas for a string of European dates. The tour kicks off May 12th in Sweden and makes stops in Germany, Amsterdam, London, and more, before winding down on May 26th in Oslo, Norway. A full list of dates can be found below.

In other news, on June 9th, Illmaculate, who, since 2004, has proven himself as one of the most accomplished battle rappers in the world, will travel to Los Angeles to take part in the KOTD Vendetta competition. In what will be the biggest battle of his career, Illmaculate will be matching up against Arsonal, while Canibus and Dizaster will also be battling at the event. For more info: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibPhqv1krdA

***Usher’s just released new single “Scream” is #1 Most Added at Rhythm & Top 40 Radio this week ***New single “Lemme See” impacts Urban Radio next week***

***Lead single "Climax," is Usher’s 12th #1 single, extending Usher's lead for the most No. 1s on R&B/Hip-Hop Songs during the Nielsen Music era (since December 1992) according to Billboard Magazine.***

September 2012

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